Ambassador Quarcoo with the boxers and national team coach Daniel Lartekwei Lartey

TWO of the nation’s prized boxers – Abdul Wahid Omar and Jessie Lartey, have paid glowing tribute to one of the sport’s treasured icons – Ambassador Ray Quarcoo.

The boxers, who called on Ambassador Quarcoo at his residence, last Tuesday, told the Times Sports that their visit was to express their “unalloyed appreciation to the unflinching support he has given us right from our early days.”

“Indeed, Ambassador Quarcoo has nurtured us into what we’re today.

“His expert advice, financial and material motivation among others have all combined to bring us this far,” they echoed.

Omar, then a flyweight, dazzled his way to win bronze at the 2014 Glasgow Olympics in Scotland, whilst light welterweight Lartey lost at the quarter final stage.

However, four years later at the Australian Commonwealth Games, Lartey became the only Ghanaian to win a medal (bronze), putting some beaming smiles on the faces of the nation’s contingent.

During Ambassador Quarcoo’s tenure as president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF), he sponsored the two boxers to compete in the 2011 World Boxing Youth Championship in Azerbaijan.

That tournament toughened them ahead of the Glasgow Games. Earlier, they had participated in an Aussie training tour ahead of the 2010 Perth Games.

“These training tours have been highly beneficial in grooming us into formidable boxers,” Omar stressed.

Mr Quarcoo, who is Ghana’s Sports Ambassador, recently presented the boxers with special medals and trophies.

The awards were presented during a GABF-arranged ceremony to mark Ambassador Quarcoo’s 83rd birthday anniversary, as the sport’s well-known personality was honoured for his contribution to boxing.

Mr Quarcoo advised the boxers to be disciplined, dedicated and committed to the sport “as you look forward to carving a niche for yourselves and making Ghana proud too.”

“Boxing is a very disciplined sport. You can’t make it if you womanise. You need to be focused, train hard, be respectful and have high ambitions,” he added.

Ambassador Quarcoo took the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation to the GABF for honouring him.